Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

'Fugitive' Reaches Los Angeles High LOS ANGELES — First run business, bolstered by a number of new attractions, held up well during the Easter holiday period. One picture with a religious theme, “The Fugitive,” hit the top mark of the week, 150 per cent, which it shared with a comedy entry, “The Bride Goes Wild.” A reissue booking of Walt Disney’s “Bambi” also registered weU, carding 130. (Average is 100) Belmont, Culver, El Rey, Orpheum, Vogue — Bambi (RKO), reissue; Western Heritage (RKO)..130 Carthay, Chinese, Loyola, State, Uptown — Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox), 2nd run 115 Guild, Iris, Ritz, Studio City, United Artists — The Naked City (U-I), 3rd wk 125 Downtown, Hollywood Paromounts — The Bishop's Wife (RKO), 2nd run 125 Egyptian, Los Angeles, Wilshire — The Bride Goes Wild (MGM) 150 Four Star, Fox Palace — The Fugitive (RKO) 150 Four Music Halls — Mon of Evil (UA) 100 Pontages, Hillstreet — The Mating of Millie (Col), 2nd wk 110 Warners Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltern — April Showers (WB) 125 San Francisco Favors 'Naked Cit-y/ 'Sitting Pretty' SAN FRANCISCO — “The Naked City” and “Sitting Pretty” had big opening week crowds, the Hellinger production running up a gross of 190 per cent at the Esquire and Orpheiun and the 20th-Fox comedy doing 180 at the Warfield. At the Fox, “Gentleman’s Agreement,” opening second run with “Bill and Coo,” made a good showing. Otherwise business was pretty much average around town. Esquire and Orpheum — The Naked City (U-1); Discovery (FC) 190 Fox — Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox), 2nd run; Bill and Coo (Rep) 160 Golden Gate — The Bishop's Wile (RKO), 3rd wk.; The Son of Rusty (Col) 105 Paramount — Adventures of Robin Hood (WB), reissue; Caged Fury (Para) 100 St. Francis — Saigon (Para), 3rd wk 100 State — Frontier Marshal (20th-Fox); Belle Star (20th-Fox), reissues 1 100 United Artists — The Sign of the Rom (Col), 2nd wk 110 United Nations — You Were Meant for Me (20th (Fox); The Challenge (20th-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk 110 Warfield — Sitting Prettly (20th-Fox); The Tender Years (20th-Fox) 180 'Gentleman' Opens Strong In Portland With 150 PORTLAND — • “Gentleman’s Agreement” opened this week with a strong 150 in the Paramount and Oriental theatres. “Treasure of Sierra Madre” was still good in its second downtown week in Parker’s Broadway, registering 125. The retinm of good weather marked a slight lift in boxoffice receipts. Paramount and Oriental — Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox) 150 Orpheum — The Prince of Thieves (Col); I Love Trouble (Col) 90 Music Box — Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (20th-Fox); My Girl Tisa (WB), 2nd d. t. wk 110 Playhouse — Song of Bernadette (20th-Fox), reissue; Miracle on 34th Street (20th-Fox) 90 Broadway — Treasure of Sierra Madre (WB); Campus Honeymoon (Rep), 2nd d. t. wk 125 United Artists — Henry VIII (FC), reissue 85 Mayfair — Black Cat (U-I); Black Friday (U-I), reissues 100 Guild— A Double Life (U-1), 3rd d. t. wk 95 Denver House Records Broken by 'Agreement' DENVER — “Gentleman’s Agreement” broke the house record at the Paramount and Esquire. The film remained at the Paramount but moved from the Esquire to the Webber so as to tap a different neighborhood. “Un conquered” was good enough at the Denham to be held over. Aladdin — Black Narcissus (U-I); Secret Beyond the Door (U-I), 2nd d. t. wk 150 Denham — Unconquered (Para), 2nd run 140 Denver and Webber — I Love Trouble (Col); Bill and Coo (Rep) 100 Esquire and Paramount — Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox) 213 Orpheum — High Wall (MGM); Springtime (British).. 90 Rialto — Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hayl (20th-Fox); Docks of New Orleans (Mono), 4th d. t. wk 150 Tabor — Frontier Marshal (20th-Fox); Belle Starr (20th-Fox), reissues 100 PORTLAND ^ed R. Gamble, head of Gamble Theatres and president of the Theatre Owners of America, has been selected for a biographical sketch in the new anniversary edition of “Who’s Who in America.” Several prominent Portlanders have had their names added to this national “cream of the crop” list, but Gamble’s was the longest biography printed. The Plaza turned first run for three nights with the initial showing of “Man About Town” . . . Add actor Edward Arnold’s name to the growing list of associate members of the Portland Symphony orchestra . . . Jean Cochran has taken over the managerial duties at the Century. It is his first theatre job in Portland. He has spent the last two years with a local retail clothing outfit. The Freedom train hits town this week and most major houses have been running trailers announcing its arrival . . . WiUiam Thedford, boss of local Evergreen theatres, spent the Easter weekend in Texas . . . Doctors at the Veterans hospital report J. T. Warren of MGM out of danger . . . Ralph Amacher of EL reported back from a business trip in eastern Oregon. Hal Boehne visited Filmrow from Seattle this week. He is the distributor of Astor pictures there. Jayne Moss, local National Screen boss, reported back on the job after a weekend illness . . . RKO’s Lloyd McCullough got a new convertible this week . . . Monroe Carlson just got over a touch of the flu . . . Kenny Hughes is manager of the Liberty. Switchover sent former manager Carl Miller to the Castle and Kiggens in Vancouver, Wash. Bill Warden replaced Bill Katzky as assistant manager of the Orpheum. Katzky now manages the Playhouse. Visitors on Filmrow were Charles Johnson of the Victory in Marcola, and Maynard Culver of the Granada and Columbia in the Dells . . . Guy Garrison is reported to have suffered a serious heart attack in Palm Springs, Calif. Doctors report he is out of danger . . . Billy Conlee of the Evergreen main offices rethed from her job to accept the duties of a housewife. Easter services were held in the downtown Mayfair. Several bishops held down the specially built pulpit on stage. Manager Herbert Royster reported full attendance at all services. New Contract at San Jose SAN JOSE, CALIF. — A two-year contract providing a 15 per cent wage increase and two weeks vacation with pay has been signed by MPMO Local 431 with the operators of the Victory, Jose, Liberty and Willow Glen theatres. Contracts with other theatres here do not expire for a year. Phoenix Gives Color To 'Apache' Premiere PHOENIX — The dual premiere here last week of Argosy’s “Fort Apache” can be accounted a dual success. It hit a high both at the boxoffice and in the showmanship department. An estimated 5,000 persons attended the opening performances at the downtown Orpheum and neighborhood Palms, both houses being sold out two days before. Seats were scaled to $1.20. It was the first world premiere here in years. A Fifty Apaches were brought to Phoenix from the San Carlos reservation and a representative Indian village was erected in front of the Orphemn. Against a background of wickiups, red flares and bonfires, Tom Endfield’s Apache Devil Dancers went through their weird gyrations as hundreds watched from specially erected bleachers. George O'Brien, a member of the “Apache” cast, was made an honorary chief, as were also Ned Depinet, executive vice-president of RKO, and radio comedian Jack Parr, who was master of ceremonies. Irene Rich, another cast member, won a big hand from the crowd when she said She was celebrating her 30th year in motion pictures. The day of the premiere, O’Brien and Miss Rich participated in a two-mile parade arranged by the Arizona RepubUc in celebration of the 24th Pioneers reunion, an annual event. John Wayne, star of “Fort Apache,” planed in from Mexico City for a personal appearance at the opening. Other cast members on hand were Anna Lee and Ward Bond, as well as O’Brien and Miss Rich. The movie crowd shuttled between both theatres and took their books at all performances. The premiere activities were broadcast by KRUX and KOOL and the opening received extensive coverage in aU the newspapers. It was a big event for Phoenix. Tower at Sacramento Is Closed After Blaze SACRAMENTO — The Tower Theatre has been shut down for “at least 60 days” as a result of fire March 22. Fire swept the stage, dressing rooms, walls and roof of the house and Paul R. David, manager, said it would cost about $50,000 to rebuild and redecorate. The fire broke out about 1:20 a. m. when two men who were painting the screen left the building for a few minutes to get more paint. The entire stage was in flames when they returned. To Build in Payson, Utah PAYSON, UTAH — Construction of a new theatre builddng here will begin as soon as the weather permits, according to Gene Braithwaite, manager of the present house. The new theatre will have a capacity of 800 seats and will be part of a development that includes four other business units. These units will be completed first, Braithwaite said. A central heating plant will take care of all the new buildings as well as the present theatre. Readies 'Jiggs and Maggie' Barney Gerard is readying “Jiggs and Maggie in London” for Monogram. 58B BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1948